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Obon Bisutoro, a Japanese bistro specializing in sushi and ramen, officially opened its doors in Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park in late March. I was recently invited to the restaurant – the third Obon concept in the Valley – for its soft opening. Walking into the dimly lit restaurant with complimentary Champagne in hand, I was amazed by the flawless interior design. Wood paneling is a signature décor element present in Obon’s two sister restaurants in...

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OBON Sushi + Ramen recently announced its third location will be opening at Biltmore Fashion Park this February. The Arizona restaurant chain currently has two Scottsdale locations and delivers both innovative and traditional dishes including tuna carpaccio and mackerel toast served on local bread. OBON chef Paul Im will helm the new location with a dedication to sustainability and the use of locally sourced ingredients. The new OBON will use the Japanese hard charcoal grilling...

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Vegan ramen | Photo by Madison Rutherford   Clever Koi has long been a favorite in the Valley dining scene for its fresh takes on Thai, Korean, Japanese and Chinese cuisine and inventive craft cocktails. In February, the Asian fusion hot spot unveiled four new ramen dishes at its locations in Phoenix and Gilbert, including updated versions of the pork and lemon chicken ramen and two brand new bowls – spicy kimchi and vegan shoyu....

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The Valley’s first sushi hand roll bar and ramen restaurant will open in northeast Phoenix this January on Camelback and 20th Street. Wade Foster Hospitability Group (the company behind the Ahipoki restaurants) and California-based Ahi Mahi Group collaborated with award-winning ramen chef Jared Lupin to open Dori Hand Roll Bar and Ramen. With 10 years of ramen making experience, Lupin says Dori Hand Roll Bar will provide guests with an intimate, street-style roll experience. “We...

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Once known for its lumberjack college kids, good skiing and decent drinkin' scene, Flagstaff is quickly making a name for itself as a foodie town (and we're not just talking about the phenomenal pizza). To explore the burgeoning culinary scene up north, we're running a series of Q & A's with the personalities behind the chef hats behind the town's restaurant renaissance we're calling the "Flag Food Boom."

Today we're chatting with:

"Panda" Clark
SoSoBa, The Non-Stop Noodle Shop
12 Historic Route 66, #104, Flagstaff
928-774-3471, nonstopnoodleshop.com